MORE ABOUT ME
Hello! I'm Martin, and welcome to "Art Of Culture," a space I've crafted to share the exciting world of my work as a Creative Producer. With around 16 years of experience, I delve into projects that push boundaries across various artforms.
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The name "Art Of Culture" serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it's a friendly nod to differentiate me from that other prominent Martin Atkinson – the Premier League referee (he is a good ref to be fair - could be worse). But more importantly, it reflects my passion for exploring the dynamic interplay within the creative industries I inhabit. Here, you might find my thoughts on the evolving landscape of performance, music, and art.
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You'll find more in-depth details about my past and present projects below, but for now, consider this a warm, personal invitation to explore the captivating world of artistic creation I'm so fortunate to be part of.
THIRD PERSON MARTIN
Martin Atkinson is a highly experienced and versatile Creative Producer based in the UK, celebrated for his exceptional ability to deliver complex, multi-artform projects. With over 16 years of producing experience, he thrives on close collaboration with artists and organisations, consistently creating pioneering new work for both live and recorded platforms.
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His career spans significant roles across the UK arts sector. He is currently Executive Producer for Lepus Productions, where he works closely with Ivor Novello-winning musician and writer Martin Green, bringing ambitious projects like the acclaimed stage show "KELI" for the National Theatre of Scotland and BBC Radio 4 documentaries such as "Love, Spit and Valve Oil" to fruition. His involvement in "Keli" was specifically sought due to the show's intricate blend of live music, sound design, and theatrical performance.
Prior to this, Martin held influential producing positions at prestigious organisations including Manchester Collective, where he contributed to their innovative classical music approach; Hull UK City of Culture 2017, where his work contributed to the team winning The Stage's Producers of the Year Award; Oxford Contemporary Music; Leeds Playhouse; Opera North; National Theatre of Scotland; South Asian Arts UK and Brighton Festival. He has also developed work at the renowned National Theatre Studios.
Beyond his direct producing roles, Martin provides invaluable consultation and support to festivals, organisations, and artists across the UK, sharing his extensive knowledge. His passion for producing compelling and bold new work is consistently reflected in the critical acclaim and artistic achievement of the projects he oversees.
ARTIST AND AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Martin's profound passion for artist development is inextricably linked to his dedication to audience growth, a synergy he actively cultivates across all his projects. He firmly believes that nurturing an artist's vision is key to creating compelling work that truly resonates with new and diverse audiences. This conviction is evident in his long-standing collaboration with Ivor Novello-winning musician and writer Martin Green, where, as Executive Producer for Lepus Productions, he's helped bring ambitious, audience-captivating works like "KELI" to stage and "Love, Spit and Valve Oil" for BBC Radio 4 to fruition.​His commitment also extends to BAFTA-winning artists like Daniel Elms, whose innovative work has benefitted from Atkinson's producing expertise in reaching broader audiences across artforms.
Beyond individual collaborations, Martin has delivered, and advises on, artist development schemes for numerous UK organisations, sharing his wealth of knowledge to empower emerging talent. This passion for artists reaching new audiences is further informed by his own continuous learning; he has actively engaged with programmes like The Space – a publicly funded company supporting the cultural sector in strategic digital audience engagement – and the Creative Bridge programme with Edinburgh University and CodeBase. Here, he received invaluable training from tech entrepreneurs on how to craft compelling narratives and build meaningful audience connections, demonstrating his holistic approach to bringing art to life and ensuring its reach.
ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Martin Atkinson's strategic acumen extends beyond individual project delivery to the very fabric of arts organisations themselves. His experience at large, established institutions like Brighton Festival and Leeds Playhouse honed his skills in high-level organisational management, preparing him to steer emerging groups towards greater stability and impact.
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This expertise proved invaluable in his work with Manchester Collective, where he was instrumental in their formative years, helping them grow from a dynamic but small ensemble into an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).
This significant transition required robust strategic planning, governance development, and a clear vision for sustainable growth. Similarly, Atkinson applied his organisational development prowess to Lepus Arts, the company led by Martin Green, guiding its successful conversion to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). He also played a key role in the transformation of Silent Uproar from an unincorporated group into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). These achievements demonstrate his deep understanding of charity law, governance best practices, and the long-term planning required to secure a stable future for ambitious artistic ventures.